Capt. Jeffrey 
Haney, a pilot with the 525th Fighter Squadron at JB Elmendorf, Alaska, is presumed to have died in the crash of his F-22 on Nov. 16 about 100 miles north of Anchorage during a nighttime training mission, according to Elmendorf officials. “Based on evidence recovered from the crash site, and after two days of extensive aerial and ground search efforts, we know that Captain Haney did not eject from the aircraft prior to impact,” said Col. Jack McMullen, commander of Elmendorf’s 3rd Wing, in a base release. A recovery team at the crash site found a part of the ejection seat, along with several life-support items that Haney wore during the flight. “Sadly, we can no longer consider this a search and rescue operation, but must now focus on recovery operations,” said McMullen. The recovery operations are expected to last several weeks. Air Force officials are standing up a safety investigation board to determine the mishap’s cause. Elmendorf officials plan to hold a memorial service for Haney on Monday. “Right now, our focus is on Jeff’s family,” said McMullen.
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.